Gallagher sites
claim fraud arrests
MIAMI Florida's Chief
Financial Officer Tom Gallagher
announced that detectives with
the Department of Financial
Services' Division of Insurance
Fraud (DIF) have arrested four
individuals accused of filing
fraudulent claims in the after-
math of the 2004 hurricane sea-
son. The investigation has
uncovered more than $170,000
in fraudulent claim filings, and
further arrests are anticipated.
Page2

Commission to
address LDR changes
By Pete Gawda
Okeechobee News
At their Thursday meeting, the
Okeechobee County Board of
County Commissioners will hear
from at least four speakers repre-
senting different causes, including
those issues surrounding the Tay-
lor Creek Lodge.
They will also' discuss changes
to the county land development
regulations, as well as the sale of
two houses to SHIP applicants.
The meeting is scheduled to
begin at 9 a.m. in the commission
chambers at the old courthouse,
304 N.W Second St.
Okeechobee County Sheriff
Paul May will address commission-
ers concerning hurricane shelters
for sex offenders/predators. He is
expected to refer to Department of
Corrections (DOC) regulations that
deal with the subject.
The commanding officer of the
Okeechobee Civil Air Patrol
squadron, Captain David Littlefield,
is scheduled to appear before the
commissioners to request funding
for the day-to-day operation of the
squadron.
Billy Hesch is once again on the
agenda to discuss the situation at
Taylor Creek Lodge. At the last
commission meeting, Ms. Hesch
addressed the situation of access to
the boat ramp.
At this meeting, she is expected
to address the situation of home-
owners who cannot get a permit to
move their mobile homes and RVs
from Taylor Creek Lodge because
of the age of the units.
See BOC Page 2

Local optometrist helps

with eye exams in Peru

By D. Hamilton
Okeechobee News
"I was a little afraid that we,
would not have a large enough
response", said Dr. William
Olivos regarding his recent trip to
Peru. "I was quite surprised at
the overwhelming response
when we got there."
The trip was funded by five
different sources Okeechobee
Rotary Club, Jupiter-Tequesta
Rotary Club, Rotary Club Inter-
national, Christ Fellowship
Church in West Palm Beach and
also Dr. Olivos' family founda-
tion, The Olive Branch Educa-
tional Foundation.
Dr. Olivos left for Lima, Peru,
on July 10 as part of a two week
trip along with a group of 30
American volunteers to provide
necessary eye exams and glasses

for residents in the small impov-
erished towns in the country.
Dr. Olivos stated that the first
week in Peru was all preparatory
work for the mission trip. He said
that he met with Rotary Club
members in Lima on July 12 to
discuss the details of the mission.
At the meeting, he found that the
Rotary Club in Lima would pro-
vide a grant-funded laboratory
that produces lenses and frames
in support of the mission to the
ruralvillage.
Dr. Olivos also told club mem-
bers that he met with the mayor
of, the small village outside of
Lima. After giving the mayor the
details of what their mission was
to accomplish, the mayor provid-
ed use of the municipal hall for
the doctors to set up their equip-
ment and to see patients.
"There was a flurry of activity

within the municipal building.
Workers were sweeping and
cleaning in preparation for the
vice president of the country of
Peru to visit their small village
municipal hall," said Dr. Olivos.
"It seems that the word about
our mission had gotten to the
vice president while he was on a
tour through the country and he
wanted to come to the village to
say thank you. The school band
from the small town was even
brought in to play at the vice
president's arrival."
He went on to explain that the
group conducted over 1,000 eye
exams.
"From July 18 through July
21, the group of volunteers,
including myself, saw 300
patients each day, provided a
See Rotary Page 2

Okeechobee News/D. Hamilton
William A. Olivos, OD, a local optometrist and Rotary Club
member, was introduced as a guest speaker by Rotary Club
president-elect Chad Rucks at Tuesday's weekly club meeting.
Dr. Olivos spoke to club members about his recent trip to Peru.

2 The Okeechobee News, Wednesday, July 27, 2005

Gallagher announces claim fraud arrests

MIAMI Florida's Chief Finan-
cial Officer Tom Gallagher
announced that detectives with
the Department of Financial Ser-
vices' Division of Insurance Fraud
(DIF) have arrested four individu-
als accused of filing fraudulent
claims in the aftermath of the 2004
hurricane season. The investiga-
tion has uncovered more than
W $170,000 in fraudulent claim fil-
ings, and further arrests are antici-

Bomber

Continued From Page 1
newspapers published the same
pictures provided by the Interior
Ministry.

There has been no direct link
between the wanted men and the
bombings, even though at least
two security officials said the Pak-
istanis had flown into Sharm from
Cairo several days earlier.
"No Pakistani national was
involved in the terrorist attacks that
rocked Sharm el-Sheik late last Sat-
urday," the Egyptian Embassy in
Islamabad said in a statement.
Egypt's ambassador to Pak-
istan, Hussein Haridy, said he
informed the Pakistani govern-
ment by telephone late Monday of
the Egyptian conclusion.

pated.
"With thousands of Floridians
still working to recover from four
storms, it is inconceivable that
individuals would seek to illegally
profit from the 2004 hurricane sea-
son," said Gallagher, who oversees
the department. "Those who
choose to commit fraud and drive
up premiums will be prosecuted
to the fullest extent of the law."
Investigators found that Julio

Posters of the missing Pakistanis
were put up in Cairo. Officials now
say they are seeking the men for
illegally entering Egypt.
Two blasts rocked the popular
Naama Bay tourist strip, including
the suicide truck bomb attack at
the hotel. Two miles away, a third
truck bomb ravaged an area called
the Old Market, which is popular
with Egyptians.
The remains of another sus-
pected bomber were discovered at
the Old Market, and DNA tests
were being conducted, a security
official said.
The death toll stood at 88,
according to the head of the Sharm
el-Sheik hospital that treated the
victims, but Egypt's Health Ministry
has put it at 64. Hospitals said the
ministry count excludes some sets
of body parts.
South Sinai's governor said

Iriarte, a licensed public adjuster in
Miami, submitted falsified contrac-
tor agreements that caused over-
payment of claims by more than
20 percent.
Joyce Chandler, of Miami, is
accused of authoring a letter on
behalf of a Miami resident and rep-
resenting herself as the property
owner's minister, claiming the
home was destroyed as a result of
a tornado. This claim was denied

Monday that 17 of the dead were
non-Egyptians, including Western-
ers and citizens from other Arab
states. One American, Kristina
Miller, 27, of Las Vegas, was killed.
Meanwhile, 20 of Egypt's top
movie and music stars visited
Sharm on Tuesday, touring the
attack scenes and visiting some of
the hospitalized Egyptians.
"I am here to tell my people that
we shouldn't let terrorism have its
way," director Youssef Chahine
said while touring the gutted hotel.
"The people are very sad but they
are not afraid. It's not the first time
but it is the most vicious one."
Investigators are pursuing a
possible connection to October's
bombings in two Sinai resorts far-
ther north, Taba and Ras Shitan,
that killed 34 people, including
many Israelis. DNA from the sus-
pected bombers' remains were

and Chandler subsequently
acquired the property and filed a
hurricane claim for more than
$94,000 in property damage and
additional living expenses.
Two other individuals were
arrested for filing fraudulent claims
and are being charged with insur-
ance fraud and grand theft. Other
arrests are anticipated.
The Department of Financial
Services, Division of Insurance

being compared with samples
from the parents of five suspects
still at large from the Taba blasts.
The Sharm attacks had hall-
marks of other al-Qaida-style oper-
ations, near-simultaneous bomb-
ings using a mix of techniques,
including vehicle-borne and other
bombs.
Three groups claimed responsi-
bility for the attacks. One of the
groups warned in an Internet state-
ment Monday of a "total war"
unless "Jews and Christians leave
our country within 60 days." The
statement was signed by the Holy
Warriors of Egypt.
A conflicting claim was issued
Saturday by an al-Qaida-linked
group, the Abdullah Azzam
Brigades, which also claimed
responsibility for the October
bombings. None of the statements'
authenticity could be confirmed.

Fraud, investigates various forms
of fraud in insurance, including
health, life, auto, property and
workers' compensation insur-
ance. Anyone with information
about this case or another possible
fraud scheme should call the
department's Fraud Hotline at 1-
800-378-0445. A reward of up to
$25,000 may be offered for infor-
mation leading to an arrest and
conviction."

A third claim was posted Tues-
day on the Internet in the name of a
previously unknown militant
group purporting links to al-Qaida.
The statement said the group,
called Egyptian Tawhid and Jihad,
attacked the "Crusaders" in Sharm
on orders from al-Qaida leader
Osama bin Laden and his Egypt-
ian-born deputy Ayman al-Zawahri
"in support of our brothers in Iraq
and Afghanistan."
The claim, which was posted
on a militant Islamic Web site
where statements by the al-Qaida
terror network have previously
appeared, could not be independ-
ently authenticated. Tawhid and
Jihad is Arabic for monotheism
and holy war.
Associated Press reporter Chris
Torchia in Islamabad, Pakistan,
contributed to this report.

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Continued From Page 1
~ Ray Arrants is on the agenda to
address the commissioners about
the construction of a new restau-
rant at Okee-Tantie Campground &
Marina.
- *

a

4M* e At their July 14 meeting, at the
conclusion of the second public
-* hearing on proposed changes to
land development regulations, the
board requested several revisions.
Those revisions will be presented

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Continued From Page 1
total of 1,300 eye exams and fitted
760 patients with eye glasses," he
told local Rotary members. "We
treated many of the residents for
glaucoma-related eye problems
and also saw children as young as
8 and 10 years of age with congeni-
tal cataracts."
Those patients, he stated,
were referred to surgeons at
nearby hospitals.
"None of the people had to
pay for the services that they
received and they were very
grateful for our help", he said.
In closing Dr. Olivos told the
group that at the end of their stay
a reception was given in honor of
the services that the volunteer
group had provided, and the vice
* president made a special point to
attend the reception to thank all
of the volunteers who worked on
the project.
Lastly, Dr. Olivos proposed
Project Insight to Rotarians. The
project will provide two free eye
exams and glasses each month to
local Okeechobee residents. The
services will be provided for
those residents who cannot
afford an eye exam or who have
no insurance, with services pro-
vided by Dr. Olivos at no charge.
In other Rotary Club busi-
ness:-
The Rotary Minute, which

to the commissioners on Thursday.
The board is scheduled to dis-
cuss approving the sale of two
county-built homes to two SHIP
applicants who are low-income
single parents.
In other action, the board is
expected to:
authorize purchase and
installation of a replacement ener-
gy management system for the
health department;
purchase a Jacobsen Turfcat
mower;
award a contract for elevator
maintenance;

was delivered by Mike Costopou-
los, concerned the best way to
obtain new club members. Mr.
Costopoulos stated the criteria
necessary to be a Rotary Club
member includes being of good
moral standing. Second, a Rotari-
an must be an executive, a man-
ager, a business owner and can
either be retired or active in their
business and most importantly,
they must be willing to attend
meetings and work within their
community as a volunteer. Mr.
Costopoulos suggested that
Rotary Club members should

accept a fire truck from St.
Lucie County Fire/Rescue;
approve an agreement with
CSX Transportation for the recon-
struction of crossings at C.R. 15A
and C.R. 15B;
transfer funds between vari-
ous accounts and adjust the budg-
et to account for unanticipated
grant funds;
determine the group health
insurance plan to be utilized for
county employees; and,
conduct an executive session
to discuss labor negotiations.

invite other members of the busi-
ness community to the weekly
meetings in order to encourage
new membership.
The school box project is
now under way. The project pro-
vides school boxes with basic
supplies (crayons, glue, scissors
and pencils) to over 450 area chil-
dren in need. The total project
cost in past years has been in the
area of $1,300-$1,500.
Rotary Club meetings are held
every Tuesday at noon at the
Golden Corral Restaurant, 700 S.
Parrott Avenue.

WASHINGTON, D.C. Secre-
tary of the Interior Gale A. Norton
today confirmed that the Bush
Administration proposal for new
oil and gas leasing in the Gulf of
Mexico would not impact Florida
waters. With the Nation facing
unprecedented energy challenges,
Secretary of the Interior Gale A.
Norton today expressed her sup-
port for the proposed legislation
that would allow the Nation
greater access to new oil and natu-
ral gas resources on the outer con-
tinental shelf. At the same time it
would allow coastal states to ben-
efit from the royalties received
from oil and gas development off
their coasts.
"The President respects the
rights of states to determine what
Kind of activities can take place off
their coasts," said Norton. "Under
the Administration's proposal,
'Florida waters' would be deter-
mined for the first time using legal
principles upheld by the Supreme
Court in cases involving state
boundaries The Administration's
proposal will protect these Florida
waters from new oil and gas leas-
ing."
The President has committed
to the people of Florida that there
will be no new oil and gas leasing
offshore Florida and this proposal
does not provide for any new leas-
ing in Florida's waters. In addition,
Norton reiterated that no new
areas would be opened for leasing
-within 100 -miles of the Florida
coast. "This proposal allows us to
continue our commitment not to

lease in the area known as 'the
stovepipe,'" she said.
The proposal allows for leasing
a portion of the offshore area
known as "the Bulge," originally
approved for leasing by the Clinton
administration and not under
moratorium, and a deepwater
area south of the "Bulge."
The proposal also benefits
existing offshore energy producing
states by allowing them to share
revenues from areas of new leas-
ing offshore Louisiana and Alaska.
In the Gulf of Mexico, this proposal
contemplates new areas in the
Eastern Gulf planning area that fall
within Louisiana's seaward
boundaries and that are more than
100 miles offshore.
Under the legally accepted prin-
ciple of "equidistance" used in the
drawing of seaward lateral bound-
aries, the portions where new leas-
ing would occur are off the coast
of Louisiana, not Florida. At the
nearest point, the area is well over
100 miles from any point on the
Florida coastline and more than
250 miles from the west coast of
the Florida peninsula. The deep-
water areas are even further away,
in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico.
The draft is consistent with the
Administration's pledge to only
, allow new oil and gas leasing off of
states that express support for it.
"The Administration believes
that development of these
unleased offshore areas should be
a partnership between the federal
government and the states," said
Norton. "States that support new

development in these areas should
benefit financially by sharing in the
royalties from lease sales, which
could be used for important needs
such as wetlands restoration and
environmental protection."
In 2001, the Senate over-
whelmingly rejected a proposal to
prohibit leasing in portions of this
Eastern gulf area. This was a bipar-
tisan vote. Sen. Dianne Feinstein,
D-Calif., said at the time: "It is 100
miles off the coast. If you can't drill
100 miles out to sea, I don't know
where you can drill."
The United States is facing
unprecedented oil and gas prices.
Motorists are paying $2.30 a gallon
for gas. Imports have risen sharply
over the last two decades while
our domestic production has fall-
en. The Nation currently imports
nearly 60 percent of the petroleum
it uses. "We are seeing the effect of
this growing imbalance in the ris-
ing cost of driving our cars, heating
and cooling our homes, and keep-
ing manufacturing jobs in the Unit-
ed States," said Norton.
Offshore energy development
has a phenomenal safety record.
Since 1975, the offshore industry
has a safety record of 99.999 per-
cent meaning that only .0001 per-
cent of the oil produced has been
spilled. In the past 35 years, there
has not been a significant oil spill
from a platform in federal waters.
In fact, natural cracks in the
seabed release more than 150
times the amount of oil into the
Gulf than is spilled from offshore
platforms.

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Obituary

Reverend Way i) e ,n ..
H. Collins
Reverend Wayne H Collins,
age 84, of Okeechobee,' died
Monday, July
25, 2005, at
Raulerson Hos-
pital. Mr.
Collins was
born Sept. 28, .
1920, in Ver- ..
non to Wesley "
E. and Flo-
rence Adelle O '"'-
Collins. He was Wayne
a minister hav- Collins
ing come to
Okeechobee in 1972. Mr. Collins
proudly served our country dur-
ing WWII in the U.S. Navy. Rev.
Collins saw his first church bul-
letin in June of 1940; he commit-
ted his life to ministry in Nov. 30,
1947. Rev. Collins attended Bap-
tist Bible Institute and graduated
in 1953. He served full time
churches in Crestview, Defuniak
Springs, Red Oak, Graceville, Eau
Gallie, Fellsmere, Micco, Buck-
head Ridge and Basinger. Rev.
Collins devoted his life to God and
his family.
He was preceded in death by:
his wife, Vonci Ie Collins in 1988.
Rev. Collins is survived by: his
second wife, Erma Lee Collins;
daughters, Wynelle Arnold of
Okeechobee, Vaneese Collins of
Leesburg, and Lyndia Ruth Carr of
Stanley, N.C.; sons, Eugene
Collins of Franklin, N.C. and Stan-
ley Earl Collins of Okeechobee;
brother, William Collins of Pana-
ma City and Boyd Collins of Ver-
non; 17 grandchildren; 32 great
grandchildren; and, three great-
great grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 4 until 7
p.m., on Thursday, July 28, 2005,
at Bass Okeechobee Chapel.
Funeral Services will be at 10
a.m., on Friday, July 29, 2005, at
First Baptist Church of Okee-
chobee with Pastor Whipple offi-
ciating.

Interment will follow at Ever-
green Cemetery.
All arrangements are entrusted

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4 OPINION The Okeehobee News, Wednesday, July 27, 2005

Speak Out

Have an opinion or a question about a public issue? Post it anytime
at the Okeechobee issues blog at httpV//newsblog.info/0904. It is a
hometown forum so visit the page as often as you would like and
share your comments (but no personal attacks or profanities, please).
You can also make a comment by calling our Speak Out 24-hour
opinion line at (863) 467-2033, fax (863) 763-5901 or sending e-mail
to okeenews@newszap.com. You can also mail submissions to
Okeechobee News, P.O. Box 639, Okeechobee, Fla. 34973. Com-
ments will be published in the newspaper as space permits.
SEA CADETS: I enjoyed the article on the Sea Cadets in the paper. It
is amazing all the things those kids get to do SCUBA training, flight
school, photojournalism school. It makes me wish I was a teenager
again. I recently paid more than $200 to take SCUBA lessons. Imagine
getting your SCUBA certification as a teenager. This sounds like a terrif-
ic program -what a great opportunity for our young people. And they
even get high school credit you can't beat that.

HIGHWAY 98: When is the work on State Road 70 near Highway 98
going to be finished? They have cut off use of the turn lane and traffic is
terrible at that intersection. This has gone on for months and no one
seems to be doing any work on that roadway. I never see workers
there.

NO SPEAK OUT?: What happened to Speak Out? It's my favorite
part of the paper. I tried to call and didn't get an answer.
Editor's note: The Speak Out answer machine was broken. We
replaced it but the new machine did not function property so we are
replacing that one. As you discovered, you can make Speak Out com-
ments online by posting on our Okeechobee City/County issues blog
at http://newsblog.info/0904/.

CIVIL AIR PATROL: I want to reply to the person who asked if we
need Civil Air Patrol when we already have an ROTC program at the
high school. A lot of people think Civil Air Patrol is just an ROTC pro-
gram. It is not. Adults join too and are involved with community serv-
ice projects and help during emergencies. I think we do need Civil Air
Patrol here and I am glad someone is starting a local chapter again.

Rodeo Flag Team tryouts slated
Girls in grades nine-12 that are interested in being a member
of the Okeechobee Cattlemen's Rodeo Flag Drill Team can tryout
beginning Aug. 4 at the Okeechobee Cattlemen's Arena U.S. 441
N., starting at 7 p.m. Riders must be experienced. For informa-
tion, call (863) 634-1888.

Red Cross offers CPR course
The American Red Cross is offering an adult CPR/AED,
infant/child CPR and first aid course at the Okeechobee Branch
on Saturday, Aug. 6, from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. The cost of this
course is $35. For information on how to sign up for this course
stop by the office at 323 N. ParrottAve., or call (,A63) 763-2488.'

LOAA meeting is slated
The Lake Okeechobee.Airboat Association (LOAA) will meet
Thursday, Aug. 11, at 6:30 p.m. at the Village Square Restaurant,
301 W. South Park St. Agenda items include more discussion on
the jamboree, additional charitable giving and plans for Labor
Day in the park. Visitors are welcome. For information, call (863)
763-6069.

Back to school collections under way
Big Lake Missions Outreach is currently sponsoring their
annual school supplies drive for the needy children in our county.
They will be collecting items until Aug. 12. Let's work together on
this project and make sure every child of school age has what
they need to start school this year. Also, if your child needs sup-
plies, they can help. Proof of eligibility is required to qualify. For
information or to make a donation, call the Mission at (863) 763-
5725.

Church hosts clothes give-away
The Okeechobee Church of God, 301 N.E. 44th Ave., will host
its annual clothes give-away on Saturday, Aug. 13, from 9 a.m.
until noon. The event will be held in the church's fellowship hall.
For information, call (863) 763-4127.

Okeechobee News

Our Purpose...
The Oi~eechobee News is published by Independent Newspapers of Florida
Independent is owned by a unique trust that enables this newspaper to pur-
sue a mission of journalistic service Io the citizens of the community. Since no
d.idends are paid. the company is able to thrive on profit margins below
industry 6landards All after-lax surpluses are reinvested in Independent's
mission of iournaihstic service, commitment to the ideals of the First
Amerndmrent of rthe U S. Constilulion. and support of the community's deliber-.
alion of public issues

We Pledge ...
T operate this newspaper as a
pubthlic trust
* To relp our community become a
betn-r place to live and work.
rough our dedication to consci-
entious lournalism
* To provide the information citizens
need to make their own intelligent
,'er.iions about public issues.
* To report the news with honesty,
accuracy. purposeful neutrality,
fairness objectivity. fearlessness
anr,, compassion
* To use our opinion pages to facili-
iaite community debale, not to
dominale it with our own opinions.
* To disclose our own conflicts of
interest or potential conflicts to our
readers
* To correct our errors and to give
each correction to the prominence
it deserves
To provide a right to reply to those
we Arite about
* To treat people with courtesy,
respect and compassion.

Florida Press
Aoclatidon
.' Okeechobee News 2005
For More Information See
At Your Service On Page 2

Letter to the Editor

Where are you?
I volunteer for a non-profit
organization named My Aunt's
House. It's also known as The
Closet.
This organization was co-
founded by Reba Folsom. She
has dedicated a large part of her
life to foster children and chil-
dren of need and their fami-
lies in Okeechobee.
We provide 'gently used'
clothes, shoes, etc., for children
and their families. We also pro-
vide these items for foster chil-
dren as they move through this
word one home at a time.-
We have received many
donations of gently worn items
from families in our community.
We appreciate everything we
have received. Also, a couple
churches have donated, and we
thank them.
But the businesses where
are you? This is a non-profit, vol-
unteer, no-money-exchanged
organization for the needy chil-
dren in our Okeechobee com-
munity.
Our only expense is our rent
and electricity $700 a month.
All other expenses are absorbed
by Reba, myself or an occasional
$25 check from a family or

church group.
Business men and women,
let's get some good old fash-
ioned competition going. As an
example: Mr. Realtor says "I'll
pay for their January expenses if
you, Mr. Banker, will pay for Feb-
ruary."
Or how about competition
between contractors, restau-
rants, plumbers, etc.?
Come on businesses, give it
up! Let's help The Closet at My
Aunt's House help the less fortu-
nate kids in our area. Also, don't
forget that contributions are a
great write-off.
For information you can call
Reba Folsom at (863) 634-2306
or myself, Judy Watts, at (863)
634-377.
Better yet, come to The Closet
and take a tour of our house
located at 111N.E. Second St.,
across the street from CVS to the
north. We are in the back of the
beautiful yellow house. Back
door friends are the best.
Also, another volunteer in
The Closet would be super. It's a
very rewarding way to spend
your day.

Judy Watts,
foster mom,
and volunteer

By Eric Kopp
We are still trying to dig up
information concerning the boat
ramp on Taylor Creek that is locat-
ed near the locks. But, we've hit a
brickwall.
As you, may remember, the
Taylor Creek Lodge and the land
located on the other side of Taylor
Creek were sold recently. Includ-
ed in that sale was the boat ramp.
Since the property was sold to a
private concern, the ramp is being
closed to use by the public due to
potential liability issues."
This is where you, our readers,
can help.
We are trying to determine
when that boat ramp was built,
and who built it. From what we've
been able to ascertain, the ramp
was built sometime between
1938 and 1952 and that's as
close as we can get.
So what we're asking is this:
do you know when the ramp was
built? Or, do you know someone
who might be able to answer this
question for us?
We would like to narrow the
possible date down to at least a
year so that we can research pub-
lic records and back issues, of the
Okeechobee News, available on
microfilm at the Okeechobee
Public Library.
If you have any information
that will help us, we ask that you
let us know by contacting Lorna
Jablonski. at

ljablonski@newszap.com. Or,
you can reach her by calling (863)
763-3134.
We feel this information is crit-
ical to our continued coverage of
this issue.
QID
Readers have noticed that
Speak Out has been missing from
some newspapers recently. We
have not had good luck with
answering machine lately. Last
week, the answering machine on
the Speak Out line stopped work-
ing. We replaced it, but also had
some difficulty with the replace-
ment machine not working prop-
erly.
Some readers have discovered
that there are other ways to get
comments on Speak Out. We take
comments via e-mail to okee-
news@newszap.com. You can
also put Speak Out comments on
our website, using the Okee-
chobee City and County issues
blog at http://newsblog.info/0904.
There are advantages to'post-
ing comments on the blog. Your
entire comment is posted as you
write it, while comments in the
paper may be edited for length.
The "preview" option allows you
to read over your comment and
edit it before you post it.
Posting on the blog gets your
comment published online-
immediately so others can
respond without waiting until the
comment is the newspaper.

Upcoming Events

Wednesday
A.A. meeting from 8 until 9 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic
Church, 701 S.W. Sixth St. It will be a closed discussion.
Narcotic Anonymous (NA) meet in the New Horizon build-
ing, 1600 S.W. Second Ave., from 6:30 until 7:30 p.m. For infor-
mation, call (863) 763-1191.
Lakeside Cruise'n Car Show will meet from 7 until 9 p.m. in
the Wal-Mart parking lot in front of the Garden Center. Just stop
by to show a car you may have, or check out the cars and visit
with the car owners while you listen to the great oldies music.
Community Country Gospel will meet at 7 p.m. at the church
next to Douglas Clinic on North Park St. Any individual or group
that enjoys old time gospel music is invited to participate. For
information, contact Randy or Larese Maycumber at (863) 467-
0359.
Martha's House offers weekly support groups for individuals
who are either directly or indirectly affected by domestic, vio-
lence, other women's issues are also addressed. One support
group is held on Wednesday's 5 p.m. at the Health Department
Auditorium, 1728 N.W. Ninth Ave. For information, call Irene Luck
at (863) 763-0202.' The other support group is held on Thurs-
days, 6 p.m. at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, 1057 N.E.
14th Ave. For information on this group, call Shirlean Graham at
(863) 763-2893.

Thursday
Tantle Quilters meets every Thursday from 9 a.m. until 2
p.m. at the Historical Society Museum on U.S. 98 N. For infor-
mation call Margaret Smith at (863) 467-8020, or Janet Rinaldo
at (863) 467-0183.
Family History Center meets from 6 until 8 p.m. at the
Church of-Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 310 S.W. Sixth St.
Anyone interested in finding who your ancestors are is welcome
to attend. There is Census, IGI (International Genealogical
Index), Social Security Death Index and military information
available. For information, call (863) 763-6510 or (863) 467-
5261.
Kiwanis Club of Okeechobee will meet from noon until 1
p.m. at Village Square Restaurant, 301 W. South Park St. All
Kiwanis and the public are welcome. For information, contact
Ray Worley at (863) 467-0985.
Take Off Pounds Sensibly No. 47 will meet from 5 until 6:30
p.m. at the United Methodist Church, 200 N.W. Second St,
Please join us or ask questions. Call Doris at (863) 467-5206 or
Hazel at (863) 763-4923, for information.
Christian Fellowship Prayer group meets at 9:30 a.m. in the
fellowship hall at 412 N.W. Sixth St. For information, call (863)
763-5996.
Cowboys for Christ will meet at Dunklin Memorial, 407 N.W.
Third Ave. Everyone is invited. For information, call Mike Fletch-
er at (863) 357-6257. :
Okeechobee County Blood Bank, 300 N.W. Fifth St., is
open for blood donations from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. For informa-
tion, call (863) 467-9360.

Submitted to the Okeechobee News/Anna Jane O'Steen
Looking Back ...
Left to right are Twila Valentine, Betty Chandler
Williamson and Anna Jane O'Steen at book signing
event held at what was then known as Barnett Bank. This
photo was taken in December of 1994. Mrs. Valentine
and Mrs. Williamson were the authors of "Strolling Down
Country Roads". In the right corner of the photo is Mrs.
O'Steen's lollipop tree. Plans are currently under way by
the Okeechobee Historical Society to reprint the book
"Strolling Down Country Roads". Recent interest in buy-
ing a copy of the book has been increasing, and the His-
torical Society needs an estimate of the number of
books to order. The expected cost is $35 to $40 per copy,
and the society hopes to have the books available by
Christmas. If you are interested in buying a copy of the
book send your name, address and telephone number
to: Betty C. Williamson, P.O. Box 249, Okeechobee, Fla.,
34973. This will not obligate you to buy the book, but you
will be notified when the books are available. You are
asked to send your information to Mrs. Williamson soon.
Do you have any old photos of the Okeechobee area or
of Okeechobee citizens? If so, bring them by the Okee-
chobee News office, 107 S.W. 17th St., and we can copy
them while you wait. Or, you can e-mail the photo and
information about the photo to okeenews@okee-
chobee.com.

Community Events

Vacation Bible School planned
The Corner Baptist Church, 81387 U.S. 441 N., will be hosting
Rambling Road Trip Vacation Bible School on July 27-29 from 6
until 8:30 p.m. for ages kindergarten through adults. For informa-
tion, call Pastor Perry Moore at (863) 634-7922.

Free hearing loss screenings
American Hearing Center will host free hearing loss screen-
ings at the American Vision and Hearing Center, 3545 U.S. 441 S.,
next to Publix on July 27-29. Screenings are available for adults
over the age of 18. Appointments are required. For information,
call Betty at (863) 467-5333.

Church hosting gospel sing
The Christian 7th Day Baptist Church, 912 N.W. Park St. West,
will host a gospel sing on Wednesday, July 27, beginning at 7 p.m.
Greg Douglas will be on keyboards; Hal will be on bass; Buzzy
will play the flat top; Joe will play the .harmonica; Pat will be on
drums; and, Larese will be on the piano.

Learning coalition will meet
The Early Learning Coalition of Martin and Okeechobee coun-
ties, Inc. will have a full coalition meeting on Wednesday, July 27,
at 1 p.m. The meeting will be at the One Stop Career Center, 2401
S. 29th St., North Portable, in Ft. Pierce.

Coalition committee will meet
The executive committee of the Early Learning Coalition of
Indian River, Martin and Okeechobee counties will meet Wednes-
day, July 27, immediately following the coalition'meeting. The
committee will meet at the One Stop Career Center, 2401 S. 29th
St., North Portable, in Ft. Pierce.

Advisory council to meet
The Seminole Elementary School Advisory Council will meet
Wednesday, July 27, at 9 p.m. in the media center. The public is
invited to attend.
Laescuela Seminole Elementary van a tener su junta del Con-
sejo Consultivo para la escuela, miercoles, el 27 de Julio, a las 9
p.m., van a juntar en el bibliotea. Todo el public estan envita-
does de asistir.

Free memory loss screenings
The Alzheimer's Association will host free memory loss
screenings at the Visiting Nurse Association, 208 S.E. Park St., on
July 29, Sept. 16 and Nov. 4. Since appointments are required, call
Donna (800) 861-7826 to make your appointment. Screenings
are for anyone (any age) concerned about memory loss. The
screening is done by a nurse or social worker from St. Mary's
Memory Disorder Center.

Habitat for Humanity plans work day
Habitat for Humanity will hold a work day at the house it is
building at 3817 N.W. 34th Ave. in Basswood on Saturday, July 30.
The work will include putting on siding and roof shingles. The
siding was donated by Treasure Island Baptist Church, and the
shingles were donated by Big Lake Roofing. For information or to
volunteer your help, call (863) 357-1371. Help is still needed in
the form of volunteer workers, fundraisers and land donations.

Policing changes is talk show topic.
Family Stations Inc. is having a radio talk show on Saturday,
July 30, starting at 7:30 a.m. and re-broadcasting at 1 and 6 p.m.
on WWFR 91.7 FM and 100.3 FM. The guest will be Port St. Lucie
Chief of Police John Skinner. The topic will be policing changes in
a rapidly growing city. For information, call Robert Vege (772)
871-5032.

Habitat for Humanity plans meeting
Habitat for Humanity of Okeechobee County will be holding a
public organizational meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 2, at 6:30 p.m. at
the First United Methodist Church, 200 N.W. Second St. The meet-
ing is to update everyone on our progress and to prepare for the
future. We need volunteers to help in the organization and con-
struction of new homes. Volunteers are needed for the board of
directors to provide leadership arid direction to the committees.
The committees need people to help in fund raising, site selec-
tion, family selection, public relations, volunteer coordination
and construction. This is not an orientation meeting for potential
applicants. Those who wish to apply for a Habitat house are wel-
come to volunteer to work on any of the committees other than

family selection. Contact the Habitat office at (863) 357-1371 for
information.

Okeechobee News/Audrey Blackwell
Tax-free holiday
The tax-free holiday on school supplies started Satur-
day. Dollar Tree's Sonia Downie, part-time assistant
manager, and Jonni Reiss, full-time assistant manager,
made sure their shelves were stocked for the sale. Peo-
ple began shopping for the supplies early Saturday
morning.

Births

S.
Ut 4

I'
I,,

Daylan James
and Sydney Faye

Daylan James and
Sydney Faye
Mr. and Mrs. Norman and
Karla LeMaire of Rayham, Mass.,
are proud to announce the birth
of their twins, Daylan James and
Sydney Faye. The twins were
born May 29, 2005, in Provi-
dence, R.I. The twins were born
premature but are doing just
fine.
The maternal grandparents
are Faye and Ray Conner and
Kenneth and Rosemary Bass, all
of Okeechobee.
Paternal grandparents are
Norman, Jr., and Judy LeMaire of
Traunton, Mass., and great-
grandparents are June and
James Boyd and Virginia
LeMaire of Rayham, Mass.

Alexis Mable Watson

Alexis Mable Watson
Vicki Thornton and William
Watson of Okeechobee are proud
to announce the birth of their
daughter, Alexis Mable Watson.
She was born on July 13, 2005,
at St. Lucie Medical Center in Port
St. Lucie. She weighed 7-pounds,
7-ounces and was 19-inches long
at birth.
Alexis was welcomed home by
brother, Allen M. Thornton.
Her maternal grandparents are
Mable Murdorf, David and Marie
Crabtree of Okeechobee. Her
paternal grandparents are Kay and
Ronnie Watson, Pam and Vinnie
Penta, all of West Palm Beach.
Great-grandparents are Retta
and Chuck Stevens; Bill and Bob-
bie Matthis; and, Lottie and Harris
Sills of Okeechobee.

Community Events

First aid instructor class offered
The American Red Cross is offering an instructor's course
at the Okeechobee Branch in the month of August. If you are
interested in becoming an instructor for CPR and first aid
please stop by the office at 323 N. Parrott Ave., or call (863)
763-2488.

Civil Air Patrol is forming
The United States Air Force Auxiliary is forming a Civil Air
Patrol unit in Okeechobee, and senior members and cadets
are being recruited. Youths between the ages of 12 and 18 are
eligible. Senior members are needed to administer the unit
and provide supervision for the cadets. The three main mis-
sions of the Civil Air Patrol are emergency services, aero-
space education and cadet programs. Senior members and
cadets work side by side to accomplish these missions. If you
are interested in becoming a cadet or senior member, con-
tact Gene O'Neill at the Okeechobee Emergency Operations
Center, (863) 763-3212.

SilCe 1929 An

Royal's lIEWif

FURNITURE LI
APPLIAN( ES & HlEDD/) \ I
SStop in nd see
the new seleton

Michael Robinson
and Dawn Reiss
Dawn Michelle Reiss and
Steven Michael Robinson were
joined 'in marriage on July 4,
2005.
The bride is the daughter of
the late Marvin Reiss and Joy

Reiss of Okeechobee.
The groom is the son of Mike
(Sue) Robinson of Mooresville,
Ind., and Barbara Deweese of
Indianapolis, Ind.
The wedding ceremony was
held on the beach in Key West
and officiated by Arlene Z. Klein.

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& GLENN J. SNEIDER, LC
Attorneys at Law
Family Criminal Civil Divorces Criminal Defense
Immigration Probate Civil Litigation Evictions
Foreclosures Corporations
are pleased to announce that
John "Jack" Jordan
A MEMBER OF THE FLORIDA, WEST VIRGINIA & PENNSYLVANIA BAR
has joined the firm.
Mr. Jordan has over 25 years of legal experience including
civil and criminal litigation, family and international law.
Former LCDR, U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General Corps and
Assistant Public Defender.
Rbonald B. Smith
continues with the firm practicing in the
area of Criminal Defense.

The firm wishes to thank the residents of Okeechobee for their
patronage and will continue to strive to provide a full range of services
to the community with the highest quality of legal representation.
The hiring of an attorney Is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertisements.
Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience.

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Liquid CD is Harbor Federal's newest CD product, giving our
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withdrawal will be charged until maturity. This account automatically converts
into a Statement Savings account upon maturity, it does not rollover. Some
restrictions apply and are subject to change. Offer may be withdrawn at any time.

Special to the Okeechobee News/Shelby Carden
Shelby Carden with the belt buckle she won in the state
pole bending competition at the Florida Junior Rodeo
Association.

Thanks for
your support
The Carden family would like
to thank everyone who spon-
sored Shelby and Cleo (her
horse) for their support for the
Florida Junior Rodeo Associa-
tion 2004-2005 years.
We would also like to con-
gratulate Shelby and Cleo on
their great first year and making

it to the state finals and winning
the buckle for the state pole
bending.
We would also like to wish
Shelby and Cleo and her sister
Gabrielle and Gal good luck in
the upcoming Florida Junior
Rodeo Association Rodeo for
2005-2006.
Shelby's sponsors are:
Willard Mayes Auto Sales; Travel
Easy R.V; Bill's Mini- Mart; and,
Barney's Barber Shop.

Briefs

Free adult GED
classes are offered
Indian River Community Col-
lege will be offering free adult
basic education/GED and English
as a second language classes at
these locations: Dixon Hendry
Center, 2229 N.W. Ninth Ave.,
English as second language class-'
es, Monday and Wednesday from
10 a.m. until noon, adult basic
education/GED, Monday through
Thursday from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.
and Friday from 8 a.m. until 4
p.m.; Seminole Reservation,
Brighton; Adults basic educa-
tion/GED, Tuesday and Thursday
from 4:30 until 6:30 p.m.; Church
at Larson Dairy, S.R. 70 East, Eng-
lish as a second language, Tues-
day and Thursday, from 4 until 8
p.m.; One-Stop, 123 S.W. Park St.,
adult basic education/GED, Mon-
day through Thursday, from 7
a.m. until noon; El Centro Santa
Fe, 115 S.W. Fifth Ave., Citizen-
ship class, Thursday, from 6:30
until 9 .p.m.; Yearling Middle
School, 925, N.W. 23 Lane, adult
basic education/GED and English
as a second language classes,
Monday through Thursday, from
6 until 9 p.m.; Everglades Ele-
mentary, 3725 S.E. Eighth St.,
English as a second language
classes, Tuesday and Thursday
from 6 until 9 p.m.; and, Sacred
Heart Catholic Church, 701/S.W.
Sixth St., English as a second lan-
guage, Tuesday and Thursday.
from 7 until 9 p.m.

You can be a
victim's advocate
Would you like to provide.
assistance to sexual assault vic-
tims? Volunteer Victim Advocate
positions are available. Volun-
teers are on-call for emergency

response from their home during
the times of their choice. Com-
plete training will be provided in
Okeechobee, as well as having
access to a supervisor 24 hours a
day. For information, call volun-
teer coordinator Dori Fowler at
(800) 569-7273.

Special to the Okeechobee News/K. Johns
Mr. Keith Blackwell, high school teacher, joins in the fun on
opposite day at the First Indian Baptist Academy located on

the Brighton Reservation.
We will
miss you
On behalf of most, if not all,
the parents and every student
who has attended the First Indi-
an Baptist Academy we would
like to send our gratitude and
express our sorrow upon hear-
ing the news that high school
teacher, Mr. Keith Blackwell and
the school's principal, Mrs.
Crista Blackwell will not be
returning for the upcoming
school year.
Around three or four years
ago, the Blackwells came to the
church school and began to
work miracles with our children.
While the Blackwells were at the
academy, the student enrollment
tripled and the academy became
a great school. Mrs. Blackwell
led First Indian Baptist Academy
towards a goal that no one
thought it would achieve. The
school earned candidate status
for public and private school
accreditation with FACCs and
SACS.
Mr. and Mrs. Blackwell, with
their three sons, dedicated their
lives to helping our children.
They lived, worked and played
for our children and to many

kids out at the Brighton Reserva-
tion that meant something posi-
tive. It made a good impact espe-
cially on the older children
because they knew that the
Blackwells truly believed in each
one of them and knew that each
child and teen could achieve
their dreams with dedication
and an education.
Many of our kids went from
wearing black hoods and hating
school to showing a smiling
face, singing in chapel, and
wanting to go to school so they
could learn that anything is a
true miracle!
As stated before, we the stu-
dents and parents are truly going
to miss Mr. and Mrs. Blackwell.
We want them to know that
there will always be a special
place in many of our lives for
them.
If we know Mrs. Blackwell,
she will probably start crying
when she reads this, just like she
did every time she talked about
the kids and how important she
feels they are.
Thank you Mrs. and Mrs.
Blackwell for always caring and
believing! We are truly going to
miss you both!
K. Johns,
F.I.B.A. parent

I-ow BorW

Become a more fascinating person by
community newspaper. You'll
learn more about local events
and issues, you'll get more
enjoyment from being a part of
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the newspaper delivered to your home. Call Reader Services at
1-877-353-2424 or email readerservices@newszap.com. .

C m.' m nILIInil\ lne'I '-, Liper.
You'll learn more about local products and services,
special sales and special offers'.
To become a better shopper by having the newspaper
delivered to your home, call Reader Services at
1-877-353-2424 or email readerservices@newszap.com.

Okeechobee News

Itl

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Water's Edge Dermatology will treat you with all
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OHS offering
grid physical
Required physical will be
available for all Okeechobee High
School prospective football play-
ers on July 27 beginning at 4 p.m.
in the Brahman Field House.
The cost of the physical will be
$20. All football players must have
a current physical in order to be
able to start practice on Aug. 1.
There will be a meeting of the
Touchdown Club in the Lecture
Hall at 7 p.m. on July 28. This club
is for members of the community
who are interested in supporting
the Brahman football program.
Varsity and junior varsity prac-
tice begins on Aug. 1.
Freshman practice begins Aug.
10.

Pop Warner grid
sign-ups extended
Sign-ups for the Pop Warner
football league and cheerleading
program will take place at Teen
Town, 305 N.W. Second St., on
July 30 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
each day.

Alktklt wi s hs on Al st title

"Copyrighted Material -

Syndicated Content

Available from Commercial News Providers"

a *

FWC offers classes on alligator hunting
The Florida Fish and Wildlife alligator hunts, which provide a (486-8356) from anywhere in the License is also available for $52,
Conservation Commission (FWC) thrilling, hands-o n, face-to-face United States or Canada. which allows the license holder to
is offering alligator hunters no-cost, hunting adventure that is unlike To reserve a permit, applicants assist a trapper in taking alligators,
three-hour classes to help prepare any other hunting experience must submit payment for an Alliga- but only in the presence of the per-
them for the coming statewide alli- imaginable. tor Trapping License and two alli- mitted trapper. All persons seeking
gator harvest, which runs Sept. 1 Sale of alligator permits began gator-hide validation tags, or pro- a harvest permit must be at least 18
through Oct. 8. June 6, but more than 2,000 Alliga- vide proof of a valid Alligator years old by Sept. 1, and only one
This is an opportunity for tor Harvest Permits are still avail- Trapping, License (must be valid harvest permit per person will be
hunters who have never participat- _, ..._ .s__+ ..-- ...---... -i ,h, .r. io ),.,,a f -,r issued.
UltL51~t) l~~us aJ~ Ufthe ee or ssud

able on1 a first-come, first-served
basis through Sept. 20. Permit hold-
ers are authorized to take two alli-
gators from designated areas dur-
ing specific harvest periods.
Alligator harvest areas are listed at
MyFWC.corrm/alligator under "Alli-
gator Harvest Permit Availability."
Applicants have their prefer-
ence of applying at any county tax
'collector's office, license agent
(retail outlet that sells hunting and
fishing licenses), online at
MyFWC.com/license or by calling
toll-free 1 I888) HUNT-FLORIDA

L or Ugll U...n. ) pUJ yM el, Leep. i UL
two hide validation tags. No other
hunting licenses are required.
The cost for a Resident Alligator
Trapping License and hide valida-
tion tags is $272, and non-residents
pay $1,022. Any hunter who takes
an alligator must complete and
send in an Alligator Harvest Report
Form. The information gathered
from these forms enables FWC
biologists to monitor population
trends and impacts of the annual
harvest.
An Alligator Trapping Agent

BIG LAKE HOSPICE YOUR HOSPICE IN OKEECHOBEE
BIG LAKE HOSPICE focuses on you and your loved ones. It is about living with
dignity and in comfort. BIG LAKE HOSPICE offers you choices:
Outstanding High Quality Patient Care and Personalized Family Support
Your choice of other hometown healthcare providers that you want
A variety of settings: home care, residential care, assisted living or in-patient care

If you have questions about your choices
for hospice care and services, please call
Linda Creech at (863) 763-0707 or come
to our offices at 309 NW 5th Street,
Okeechobee.

For information on how to get
involved in these exciting alligator
hunts, visit MyFWC.com/alligator
and click on "Statewide Hunts."

Parents must provide copies of
the child's birth certificate, their
most recent report card and a cur-
rent physical at registration. The
cost of registration will be $75.
For information contact James
Shockley at (863) 634-3482,
Albion Crowell at (863) 697-2576
or Sonya Washington at (863)
634-3482 or (863) 697-2576.
Pop Warner football is not
associated with the OCRA football
program.

O.H.S. volleyball
tryouts scheduled
Volleyball tryouts for Okee-
chobee High School (O.H.S.) are
scheduled for Aug. 1 and Aug. 2 in
the O.H.S. gym.

There will be two sessions
each day. The first session will be
from 8 until 10 a.m. The second
session will be from 3 until 5 p.m.
Players must turn in a physical
and a parent consent form in
order to participate. These forms
are available in the school office
weekdays between 8 a.m. and 3
p.m.
The tryouts are for varsity and
junior varsity, though all incoming
freshmen are encouraged to
attend. In the event any freshman
is not selected to one of these
teams, they will be asked to report
back on Monday, Aug. 8, from 9
a.m. until 11 a.m. for the first offi-
cial freshman team practice.
For information, contact coach
May at (863) 634-5836.

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when you can build your own?
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IMPACT

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is considering an application for finan-
cial assistance by Oaks at Shannon's Crossing Limited Partnership through
Rural Development which administers the Multifamily Housing loan and
grant programs locally. The specific elements of this proposed action are:

Development of Oaks at Shannon's Crossing Apartments situated on a
7.155-acre parcel and consisting of 100 rental apartments, leasing office and
clubhouse and site infrastructure improvements. This site is situated in unin-
corporated. Okeechobee County, FL and is identified as Parcel # 1-34-37-35-
OAOO-00011-0000. In constructing the project, the developer proposes to uti-
lize land situated within a 100-year flood zone according the FEMA.

If implemented, this proposed action may impact both directly and indirect-
ly impact 100-year floodplains. The purposes of this notice is to inform the
public of this possible result and to request comments concerning the
impacts of the proposed location on floodplains, alternative sites or actions
that would avoid these impacts, and methods that could be used to reduce
these impacts.

The proposed action is available for review at the West Palm Beach USDA
Rural Development Office. Any person interested in commenting on the pro-
posed action may do so by sending such comments within 30 days follow-
ing the date of this publication to:

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11

wlTluv.qf:lwlm":[ej

12 The Okeechobee News, Wednesday, July 27, 2005

Community Events

Church hosts Family Fun Day
The Okeechobee community is invited to a Family Fun Day on
Saturday, Aug. 13, from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. in the First Unit-
ed Methodist Church fellowship hall at 200 N.W. Second St. Sign
ups and activities for children will begin at 10:30 a.m. The show will
begin promptly at 11 a.m. After the show there will be a lunch for
everyone and a few door prizes for the children who sign up. All
children will receive a helium balloon or small gift. Reverend
Mabrey, a Methodist minister and illusionist, will be performing.

Agri-Civic center hosts horse show
The Miniature Horse Club of South Florida will be presenting
their Okeechobee show on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 20 and 21, at
the Okeechobee County Agri-Civic Center, 4200 S.R. 70 E. Both
show days begin at 10 a.m., with gates opening at 9 a.m. Tickets at
the gate will be $3 for adults, $2 for seniors and $1.50 for students.
The American Miniature Horse Registry classes will be showcased
on Saturday and the American Miniature Horse Association classes
will be highlighted on Sunday. Halter (conformation) Classes will
be held in the mornings and Performance (jumping, obstacle and
driving) Classes will be held in the afternoon. For Miniature Horse
Show event information, call (561) 798-6129, (863) 763-7724 or
(772) 341-7610.

History Center closes for summer
The Okeechobee Family History Center of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter Day Saints, 310 S.W. Sixth St., will be closed until
Aug. 31. They will reopen on Wednesday, Sept. 7, from 11:30 a.m.
until 3 p.m. The center will also be open Friday, Sept. 9, from 11:30
a.m. until 3 p.m. It will then be open every Wednesday and Friday.
Please call ahead one day to reserve any specific equipment you
may need. For information during working hours call (863) 763-
6510. During hours the center is closed call (863) 467-5261, or (863)
357-7711.
Dates for fall bazaar announced
The annual Fall Bazaar Arts and Crafts Show and Sale sponsored
by Xi Nu Sigma, the Avon Park Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi is sched-
uled for Saturday, Oct. 1, at Donaldson Park in Avon Park. Proceeds
from this fundraiser are used throughout the year for community
projects. Past proceeds have been used to purchase canned goods
and blankets for the Sun Room, Avon Park Church Service Center,
scholarships and donations to the juvenile diabetes fund. Vendor
applications are now being accepted. Contact Linda Dalke, 1608
Booth Drive, in Sebring; or, call Lynn Cloud at (863) 382-4487 or
(863) 381-5680.

Headstart now accepting applications
The Economic Opportunities Council Headstart is accepting appli-
cations for the 2005/06 school year. Children turning 3 on or before
Sept. 1, but not yet eligible for kindergarten, may apply at Northside
Headstart, 1798 N.W. Ninth Ave. For appointments call Sheryl Heater at
(863) 357-8677, or Antonia Nunez at (863) 357-2242. Headstart opens
as early as 7 a.m. Qualifying children may stay as late as 5:30 p.m.
Bake sale funds youth facility
The Okeechobee Church of God of Prophecy, 102 N.W. 10th St.,
will hold a bake sale that includes and encourages county-wide par-
ticipation in ordering cakes, fudge, puddings, etc. Proceeds from the
sale will help finance the beginning of a new youth facility. Order
forms have been placed at different businesses so that the church
can fill the orders. For information, call (863) 763-7227 or (863) 763-
4654. Orders will be taken until the end of September.
Back-to-school drive planned
Douglas Chiropractic, 916 W. North Park St., will be having a back-to-
school drive to help the needy children of Okeechobee County. School
physical will be given for grades K through eight. The cost will be $5, plus
a donation of school supplies. The school supplies will be donated to Big
Lake Mission Outreach. For an appointment, call (863) 763-4320.

DINING

& ENTERTAINMENT

AROUND THE 0'OKEECHOBEE AREA

Feeling Hungry? Don't know what you want to eat?

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prompt service.
We are 110% committed to keeping these
Promises and Delivering our Brand.
~ The Staff of R.J. Gator's

Does your restaurant have a
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110 01
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4--

The Okeechobee News, Wednesday, July 27, 2005 13

At the Movies
The following movies are now
showing at the Brahman Theatres
Ill.
Movie times for Friday, July 22,
through Thursday, July 28, are as
follows:
Theatre I "Bad News Bears"
(PG-13) Showtimes: Friday at 7
and 9:10 p.m. Saturday and Sun-
day at 2, 4:30, 7 and 9:10 p.m.
Monday at 3 and 7 p.m. Tuesday,
Wednesday and Thursday at 2,
4:30,7 and 9:10 p.m.
Theatre II "Fantastic Four"
(PG-13) Showtimes: Friday at 7
and 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
at 2, 4:15, 7 and 9 p.m. Monday at
3 and 7 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday
and Thursday at 2, 4:15, 7 and 9
p.m.
Theatre Ill "Charlie and the
Chocolate Factory" (PG) Show-
times: Friday at 7 and 9 p.m. Sat-
urday and Sunday at 2, 4:15, 7 and
9 p.m. Monday at 3 and 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thurs-
day at 2, 4:15, 7 and 9 p.m.
Tickets are $5 for adults; chil-
dren 12 and under are $4; senior
citizens are $4 for all movies; and,
matinees are $3.50.
For information, call (863) 763-
7202.

Briefs
You can be a
volunteer mentor
Help encourage a middle or
high school student to reach his or
her full potential and become avol-
unteer mentor for the President's
Challenge to SOAR/Take Stock in
Children Scholarship program. It's
a proven life-changing program
that provides four-year college
scholarships to deserving sixth and
ninth graders in local communities.
The mentor meets with the student
one hour per week at his/her
school. Volunteer opportunities are
available in Indian River, Martin, St.
Lucie. and Okeechobee counties.
Please call the Indian River Com-
munity College Foundation at (772)
462-4786.

Halfway House
looks for volunteers
Eckerd Intensive Halfway
House, 800 N.E.72nd Circle N., is
looking for volunteers to work with
our adolescent boys. If you have
any free time or talents you would
like to share, call Ed Wimes at
(863) 357-0047.

Church offers
lending library
You are invited to become a
patron of the Family Church Lend-
ing Library, on the corner of north-
west Second Street and Second
Avenue. Entertain or educate your-
self, using 486 audiocassettes,
including audio books, plus Christ-
ian romances and 575 videos. Pre-
pare a paper on comparative reli-
gion, a book report, programs for
men, women or children, a craft
project or a Sunday school lesson.
We use the Dewey Decimal Sys-
tem, the same as school and public
libraries. As a private library we can
and do preview our media. Cur-
rently, the library is staffed Sunday
from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.,
and Wednesday evening from 6
until 8 p.m. Contact Doris Entry at
(863) 763-4021.

Free adult GED
classes are offered
Indian River Community Col-
lege will be offering free adult basic
education/GED and English as a
second language classes at these
locations: Dixon Hendry Center,
2229 N.W. Ninth Ave., English as
second language classes, Monday
and Wednesday from 10 a.m. until
noon, adult basic education/GED,
Monday through Thursday from 8
a.m. until 8 p.m. and Friday from 8
a.m. until 4 p.m.; Seminole Reser-
vation, Brighton, Adults basic edu-
cation/GED, Tuesday and Thursday
from 4:30 until 6:30 p.m.; Church at
Larson Dairy, S.R. 70 East, English
as a second language, Tuesday and

I Rules for placing FREE ads!
To qualify, your ad
Must be for a personal item. (No commercial items, pets or animals)
v Must fit into 1 2 inch
(that's -1 lines, approximately 23 characters per line)
Must include only one item and its price
(remember it must be S2.500 or less)
Call us!
No Fee, No Catch, No Problem! ,

Please read your ad carefully
the first day it appears. In
case of an inadvertent error,
please notify us prior to the
deadline listed. We will not
be responsible for more than
1 incorrect insertion, or for
more than the extent of the
ad rendered valueless by
such errors. Advertiser
assumes responsibility-for all
statements, names and con-'
tent of an ad, and assumes .
responsibility for any claims
against independentt
Newspapers. All advertising
is subject to publisher's
approval. The publisher
reserves the right to accept
or reject any or all copy, and
to insert above the copy the
word "advertisement' All
ads accepted are subject to
credit approval. All ads must
conform to Independent
Newspapers' style and are
restricted to their proper
classifications. Some classi-
fied categories require
advance payment. These
classifications are denoted
with an asterisk *.
Auctions 105
Car Pool 110
Share a ride 115
Card of Thanks 120
In Memoriam 125
Found 130
Lost 135
Give Away 140
Garage 'Yard Sale 145
Personals 150
Special Notices 155
900 Numbers 160

Auction August 13, 1:00PM.
Magnificent, spacious cus-
tom built log home in one of
the most prestigious neigh-
borhoods in village of Blow-
ing Rock, NC. Offered at
'public auction. On-line bid-
ding. www.rogersrealty.com
(336)789-2926. ,

Bronco was LOST Nov. '04.
Lt brown, 301bs, fixed,
friendly. Last seen Pahokee.
Found in Japan in '97-his
adopting family doesn't want
him but I do. Rwd offered for
his rtn. Pis call(561)924-5656
PUPPY, Male, 2% mo. old,
black & tan w/bob tail. Lost in
vic. of SW section of Okee-
chobee. (863)467-8165

Start a new career in the much needed field of
nursing as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Complete the
Hospitality Assistant course/training at Okeechobee
Healthcare Facility and become a CNA in 4 weeks. Next
class begins soon. Instructor RN/experienced teacher has
a very high CNA exam passing rate. Qualified CNAs are
'then eligible for LPN training. Good benefits.
Apply In Person For Further Details:
406 N.W. 4th Street (863) 357-2442

Run your ad STATEWIDEl!I
For only $450 you can place
your 25 word classified ad
in over 150 newspapers
throughout the state reach-
ing over 5 MILLION readers.
Call this newspaper or Ad-
vertising Networks of Florida
at (866)742-1373. Visit us
online at www.florida-classi-
fieds.com. Display ads also
available.

HIRING EVENT
July 28th
Eckerd Youth Alternatives, Inc., a national leader
in helping at risk youth, is seeking:
*counselors
*teachers
*case managers
for our residential programs in Ft. Pierce and
Okeechobee Florida. Apply online for immediate
consideration: www.eckerd.org or fax resume
and cover letter to R. Hibbler @ (727)442-5911.
Join us Thursday July 28th from 9AM-2PM at
800 NE 72 Circle North in Okeechobee off
Highway 441 North. Must have updated resume.
EOE. M/F/D/V. Minorities
encouraged to apply.
EXCELLENT
BENEFITS DAY ONE !!!

Southern Gardens Groves Supervisor

Requires
BSdegreeor 5 to 7 years experience in
agricultural production and management; at least
2 year supervisory experience; familiar with fertilizer,
irrigation, insecticide, and pest management
programs; computer skills; and must be
willing to work grove schedule.

KITCHEN HELP/Part Time
Must be able to work week
days & weekend evenings.
Apply at the American Legion
501 SE 2nd St. (after 10 am).
P/T Position avail. Computer
exp. a must & must be able
to work weekends.
863-763-4114.
How do you find a job
In today's competitive
market? In the
employment section
of the classifieds

NOTICE
Independent Newspapers will
never accept accept any advertise-
ment that is illegal or con-
sidered fraudulent. In all
cases of questionable val-
ue, such as promises of
guaranteed income from
work-at-home programs if
It sounds too good to be
true, chances are that it is.
If you have questions or
doubts about any ad on
these pages, we advise that
before responding or send-
ing money ahead of time,
you check with the Better
Business Bureau at
772-878-2010 for previous
complaints.
Some 800 and 900 telephone
numbers may require an
extra charge, as well as
long distance toll costs. We
will do our best to alert-our
reader of these charges in
the ads, but occasionally
we may not bhe aware of the
charges. Therefore, if you
call a number out of your
area, use caution.

Need a few more bucks
to purchase something
deer? Pick up some
extra bucks when you
sell your used items in
the ciassifeids.

COQUINA WATER CONTROL
INVITATION TO BID
THE COQUINA WATER CONTROL DIS-
TRICT WILL BE ACCEPTING BIDS FOR
A ONE YEAR CONTRACT, WITH TWO
ONE YEAR RENEWAL OPTIONS, FOR
THE PURCHASE AND DELIVERY OF
APPROXIMATELY 300 METAL OR
BLACK CORRIGATED POLY PIPE
CULVERTS AND BANDS RANGING IN
SIZE FROM 18" TO 48". PIPES 'ILL
BE DELIVERED TO 17205 NW 240th
STREET, OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA
34972 IN QUANTIES SET BY COQUI-
AIA WATER CONTROL DISTRICT
MANAGEMENT. QUESTIONS CON-
CERNING BIDS SHOULD BE DIRECT-
ED TO DANNY FAIRCLOTH,
SUPERINTENDENT 863-763-4601 OR
863-634-3166. BIDS ARE TO BE
SUBMITTED TO 504 NW 4th AVENUE;
OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA 34972 NO
LATER THAN AUGUST 9,2005 AT
5'00oPM. BIDS WILL BE REVIEWED
BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
AND AN AWARD WILL BE MADE AU-
GUST 10,2005. COQUINA WATER
CONTROL DISTRICT RESERVES THE
RIGHT TO REJECT ANY BID FOR ANY
REASON WHATSOEVER, TO WAIVE
ANY AND ALL INFORMALITIES AND
IRREGULARITIES, AND TO ACCEPT
[WJ -ll i II j i i i1F -,1 i
WATER CONTROL DISTRICT.
DANNY FAIRCLOTH
SUPERINTENDENT
17205 NW 240TH STREET
OKEECHOBEE, FL 34972
(863) 763-4601 OR (863)634-3166
69862 7/22,27/2005

NOTICE OF MEETING OF THE
COQUINA WATER CONTROL DISTRICT
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FOR CO-
QUNA WATER CONTROL DISTRICT
WILL HOLD A MEETING ON WEDNES-
DAY, AUGUST 10, 2005 AT 9:00 A.M.
IN THE ADMINISTRATION ANNEX
BUILDING, OKEECHOBEE COUNTY
EXTENSION OFFICE, SMALL CONFER-
ENCE ROOM, 458 HIGHWAY 98 o.,
OKEECHOBEE, FL. A COPY OF THE
PROPOSED AGENDA MAY BE OB-
TAINED UPON REQUEST FROM THE
UNDERSIGNED. IF ANY PERSON DE-
CIDES TO APPEAL ANY DECISION BY
THE BOARD WITH RESPECT TO ANY
MATTER CONSIDERED AT SUCH
MEETING; THAT PERSON WILL NEED
A RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS
AND FOR SUCH PURPOSES THAT
PERSON MAY NEED TO ENSURE
THAT A VERBATIM RECORD OF THE
PROCEEDINGS, WHICH INCLUDES
THE TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE
UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS TO BE
BASED, IS MADE. ANY PERSON
WISHING TO SPEAK AT THE MEET-
ING MUST HAVE THEIR NAME AND
TOPIC PLACED ON THE AGENDA ONE
WEEK BEFORE THE DATE OF THE
MEETING. ALL PROPERTY OWNERS
WITHIN THE DISTRICT ARE INVITED
TO ATTEND.
DANNY FAIRCLOTH
SUPERINTENDENT
17429 NW242ND STREET
OKEECHOBEE, FL 34972
863)763-4601 OR (863)634-3166
9078 ON7/27,31/05

LEGAL NOTICE -
A public auction for surplus fixtures, furniture, equipment and vehicles will be held
Saturday, July 30th, 2005 at the Okeechobee County Road & Bridge Department,
located at 804 NW 2nd Street, Okeechobee, Florida 34972. Viewing hours for the
surplus items and equipment will begin at 9:00 a.m. and the auction will begin at
10:00a.m.
All surplus items, equipment and vehicles will be auctioned "As Is" to the highest
bidder.
All surplus items, equipment and vehicles will be paid in full prior to successful bid-
der(s) removing any items, equipment or vehicles from auction site.
All surplus items, equipment and vehicles must be removed from the auction site
by the successful idder(s) by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, August 1st, 2005,
For further information, please contact Russell Rowland at (863) 763-1811.
John W. Abney, Sr., Chairman
Board of County Commissioners
Okeechobee County, Florida
Sharon Robertson, Clerk

INVITATION TO BID
BID #0506-01 2005 33-Passenger Bus
Sealed bids for purchase of the above item will be received in the Purchasing Office
of Indian River Community 'College, until 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 17,
2005, at which time the bids will be opened and tabulated in Room S-208.
Copies of-specifications, instructions to bidders and forms may be obtained from
the Purchasing Department, Indian River Community College,'3209 Virginia Ave-
nue, Fort Pierce, FL 34981-5596, Phone: (772) 462-7355.
Don Windham, CPPB, Purchasing Agenl
72568 ON 7/27,28/05

We believe journalists are nothing more than guardians of every citi-
zen's right to a free press. We have no authority to compromise, bar-
gain away or dishonor the principles underlying the First
Amendment.

We don't play loose with the facts. We give notice to your opinions,
not ours. We encourage vigorous discussion of public issues, but try
to keep everybody's comments within the bounds of fair play.

How are we doing?

Let us know by mailing feedback@newszap.com or calling your edi-
tor.

Okeechobee News

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HOME Of tE "OTt&i4AL'f

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